Small yet perfectly formed

Bangkok Post

17-07-2025

Kyoto, once a former capital city of Japan now blending the old with the new, was chosen to be the setting of Omega's global launch for the Aqua Terra 30mm collection -- elegant, meticulously crafted, Swiss timepieces for women.
Held at Shogunzuka Seiryuden -- a historical landmark -- the gala evening unveiled the Aqua Terra 30mm collection for the first time. It is Omega's new movement that features 12 new models.
Each timepiece is powered by one of two new Master Chronometer movements, Calibre 8750 and 8751, with a 20mm diameter designed specifically for the 30mm case. The Aqua terra 30mm offers a range of models including Calibre 8750 available in stainless steel and a two-tone release, and Calibre 8751 available in Sedna and Moonshine gold.
The guests experienced presentations that blended traditional Japanese artistry such as a music performance and a live Shodo calligraphy demonstration, as well as exhibits of the 12-model Aqua Terra 30mm collection. The collection boasts of fine craftsmanship with a small size and Master Chronometer innovation.
Instead of having the global launch in Tokyo where Omega's flagship store is located, president and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann said there were many reasons why they chose Kyoto as the venue.
"Japan ranks among the five biggest countries of watch production and consumption in the world. If you think about the consumer habits and the production, Japan is a country which is a major player. However, we are not in Tokyo because I told people at Omega let's go to a place where we feel there is constant search for balancing past art and modernity. Kyoto is such a city which has the vibration of art, vibration of femininity and the place that we can have a good feeling about creativity and positivity," explained Aeschlimann.
Unlike many smaller watches that use quartz or less advanced mechanical movements, it took Omega technicians four years to develop the Aqua Terra 30mm due to the meticulous engineering required to create the high-performance movement for the case size. Aeschlimann emphasised that this is difficult.
"It was definitely clear that in the Seamaster line, there should not be a quartz, but there should be the movement with Master Chronometer certification. Believe it or not, a small movement is more difficult than a big movement because there is a technical chronometric performance. We also wanted to have the machine with a Master Chronometer. Since it had to be a very small watch, this means it must be slim. It was a question of design and proportion. Beauty is all about details and proportion," he said.
"The smaller it is, the more difficult it is to make. It took four years of development of such a movement and we created the new success for femininity. Additionally, it is a daily watch that you are happy to have because it is for every moment. It is a watch you can wear for walking the dog, going to the gym, having a picnic or working at home. It is the one that you like to wear."
The Omega Aqua Terra 30mm collection is promoted through a campaign titled "My Little Secret" that features six campaign ambassadors -- model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham; K-pop star Danielle Marsh; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tems; Academy Award-winning actress and performer Ariana DeBose; BAFTA-winning actress Marisa Abela; and actress Sunday Rose Kidman-Urban.
When Aeschlimann was asked what was the secret of the watch, he said it was to create what they wanted and that meant a 30mm watch. He added that making a smaller watch is difficult because technicians had to create it with a well-balanced elegance of components, including the polish of the bracelet, the dials and the hour markers.
"Small doesn't mean ladies but small means delicate. If other people want to wear this watch, even a man who wants to get the feeling of femininity, they can do so. This watch is much more difficult than working on men's watches, because men's watches have more space," said Aeschlimann.
Omega has been established as one of the leading luxurious Swiss watches due to its iconic models.
In 1962, the Speedmaster became the first Omega in space. In 1965, the Omega Speedmaster was the only watch that qualified for space missions. In 1969, it became the first watch worn on the Moon and earned the nickname "Moonwatch". Additionally, since 1995, the Omega Seamaster has been widely recognised after James Bond wore the watch in the films. Due to its reputation for precision and advance innovation, Omega became the first watchmaker to time an entire Olympic Games since 1932.
Omega has historical achievements in watchmaking and a great public reputation, but how does the company plan to attract the young generation? Aeschlimann replied that the watch community gives great support to Omega as a Swiss-made watch with advanced technology.
"We are creating new inspirations within the watch community that will attract the rest of the world because of the positive aspects of our research and development. I always say that factual elements should be incorporated along with the emotional elements. It is incredible that the community has helped Omega a lot," concluded Aeschlimann.
It is obvious that Omega's marketing strategy to attract new generations is to promote the watch with social media influencers. At the gala evening, aside from brand ambassadors, the event welcomed notable talents from around the world, including the Omega Friends of the Brand Karla Souza and Aislinn Derbez from Mexico, and Yuriko Yoshitaka from Japan, as well as the actress Kornnaphat "Orm" Sethratanapong from Thailand. These social media influencers have millions of followers.
Thai actress Kornnaphat attended the gala night wearing a gorgeous pearl gown and white mother-of-pearl Seamaster Aqua Terra 30mm on her wrist.
"Omega is a brand with a long heritage that I have known since I was young," she told Life.
"I am familiar with the brand as the one worn to space, the one James Bond wore and the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. When wearing the Aqua Terra 30mm, I feel that the watch alone can be a beautiful statement piece and does not need any other accessory. I chose to wear Aqua Terra with the mother-of-pearl dial because it can match many outfits. I believe that the Aqua Terra 30mm can appeal to new generations and not only women. It can attract many groups and they can wear it and feel like they are themselves."